BlogHer Community Activism: Where's the Healthcare?

Written by Amy Tenderich
| Published on June 11, 2007

The power gals over at BlogHer (online community for women bloggers founded in 2005) have had a stroke of genius: What if, they thought, every one of their 11,000+ members worked together to focus their collective brainpower, ingenuity and influence on one red-hot issue? "How about if that one red-hot issue was the focus of an organized, year-long campaign to make a measurable difference that this community cares about?"

To this end, last week the group's trio of founders launched Part I of an initiative called BlogHers Act. In this first phase, the ladies are asking for recommendations on which global issue(s) the community finds most sizzling and in need of attention. (Men are more than welcome to contribute, btw!)

The ladies are Thinking Big here. They hope to create a voter manifesto identifying the top issues that the community wants addressed during the American presidential election in 2008. The motto being, "together, we can make a difference." Check out the many recommendations to date HERE.

Yet co-founder Elisa Camahort of Healthy Concerns blog is a little taken aback that healthcareseems to have so little play thus far. "Don't get me wrong, it's definitely been mentioned and included on lists of hot issues," she writes, "but I'm waiting for someone to really blow our minds and twist our hearts in two with their healthcare story. Maybe one of you, dear readers?"

Hell, yeah. Is healthcare not one of the biggest crises facing America? A system that wasn't great to begin with is completely unraveling. Diabetes alone is estimated to be strapping the system for $132 billion a year, primarily for reactive treatment of complications -- while experts say preventative testing and proper patient education could slash the incidence of complications by up to 90%. Plus every dollar invested in such training could cut healthcare costs by up to $8.76.

Meanwhile, I wanted to note how many emails I've received from folks out there with diabetes who say they have no health insurance and cannot afford to pay even for their glucose test strips...

Love it or hate it, Michael Moore's Sicko is airing the dirty laundry on the pathetic state of health coverage for citizens of this rich nation of ours. The offbeat filmmaker even got Oprah riled up on the topic, calling a Town Hall Meeting around the statement:

"Health care should be guaranteed to every American, remove the profit from the system, and regulate the pharmaceutical companies."

So here's the deal: If you think you can convince the influential BlogHer community to take on healthcare, get posting. You've only got until the end of this week (June 15th). Details here. Then the group will launch a survey to finalize the issue selection.

I know a lot of things in this country could use some fixin'. But from where I stand, Global Warming and the Healthcare Mess look head and shoulders above all the other red-hot crises.

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Marina|2007-06-11

Universal healthcare would be a TERRIBLE idea for diabetics. Do you want the government only providing error-prone BD Logic meters, one per person, and a maximum of 4 strips per day? Want to wait 9 months for your next endocrine appointment, and not be able to switch to a better provider? Want to be denied access to an insulin pump because shots are less expensive? Universal healthcare takes away *options* and market demands are the only thing that can successfully bring about medical advances and lower prices.

Melissa|2007-06-11

Yeh, market demands really bring about what we want, I still don't see a cure. Actually, if the governtment had to pay our medical expenses there would be a bigger push for actual cures. Not to mention, technically our elected officials are using a "socialized medicine" structure already, if it's good for them why not the rest of us?

Manny Hernandez|2007-06-11

Do you know if the gals over at BlogHer are aware that their site is down? Do you have alternate means of letting them know?I think you should link to this post from TuDiabetes. I can, if you want me to, but I prefer doing it once their site is back up. Let me know.

AmyT|2007-06-11

That's just great, Manny, thanks...OK, it seems the site was down briefly this afternoon due to traffic overload after "BlogHers Act" was linked by the Washington Posts' most popular blogger today! Cool... and the site should be back up now.

Crimson Wife|2007-06-11

Having had to endure 5 years' worth of the military healthcare system, I would NOT wish socialized medicine on anyone! I do agree, however, that we as a country need to do something to fix the healthcare mess. Perhaps by putting a "sin tax" on junk food & using the proceeds to subsidize coverage for low-to-moderate income families.In terms of diabetes prevention, parent education is so critical. I get so furious when I see overweight toddlers and preschoolers being fed c*** by their parents. Can't they see what they are doing to their kids????

As I've mentioned before, I'm a newly diagnosed type 1 in my mid-twenties. I have "individual" health coverage designed for indestructible twentysomethings --high deductible, only generic drugs covered, short list of doctors to choose from, etc. I pay out of pocket for test strips, insulin, pretty much everything. The reasoning behind my insurance company's refusal to pay for my Lantus and Humalog: they aren't generic drugs. !!!!I am actively researching the possibility of pumping insulin -- I spoke with a nurse case reviewer and she said a pump would be considered only if "medically necessary." I don't fully understand what this means -- they want an out-of-control A1c? Do I have to be half-dead? I imagine them saying, "No, she was only in a coma for three months; we like them to be in a coma for the better part of a year before we'll cover anything."I'd like an insulin pen but I'm sure I'm in for a fight if I ask my insurance company to cover it. Since the HumaPen holds 3mL cartridges I would probably wind up paying more per month for my insulin.These insurance companies have us over a barrel when it comes to insulin and test strips. Of course we're going to pay for them -- what's the alternative? I suppose there is a (grisly) alternative, but it's unacceptable to most of us.Such is life. While my diagnosis came as probably the greatest shock of my life, I am grateful that I live in America and therefore have ready access to the supplies I need, even if the cost is out of pocket. I'm applying to medical school, and I hope in the future I'll have the opportunity to be part of the healthcare solution in this country.

Thomas|2007-06-12

A UK perspective may help.We have the "big government" style of socialised healthcare here. As a diabetic (T1 for c. 20 years) my healthcare exprience has been as follows:* Meters and test strips - all freely available at no cost, irrespective of make/type (there are a few meters that are not on the NHS list, but they are not readily available in the UK anyway);* Insulin & insulin pens - never had any problem with any of the varieties of insulin on the UK market, all available free of charge to diabetics at the point of use;* Access to health professionals - I've always had access to bi-annual check-ups from my hospital specialists with nurse support available without appointment;* Pumps/pump supplies - bad experiences in the 80's led the NHS to tightly ration pumps, there is a long process to get a pump on the NHS;* Other items - I was immediatey prescribed statins almost as soon as the ink on the report recommending them for use in diabetics was dry!* Overall Access - the help and support is available if you ask for it, I am aware that UK diabetics get a fairly patchy service through their General Practitioners, but superior healthcare is available in specialist hospital units;* Diabetic training and education - we've been slow starters on this, but, in my region, DAFNE and other training is available to T1s that want it.The biggest irritation with the NHS system is that we seem to be lagging behind other countries by five years in the treatment methodology. However, we seem to have a reasonable degree of access to supplies and help without cost or charge. We aren't rationed to small numbers of strips or other supplies.The system is a long way from perfect and Mr Blair's government has done its best to mess things up (suggested reading nhsblogdoc.blogspot.com), but the insurance system that is employed in the States seems to be a pain for those that can afford coverage and a nightmare for the poorer members of society.Commentators often deride "Socialised Medicine", but, going beyond diabetes care, an individual's health can be as much affected by the health of society as a whole as by their own cover (the best medical insurance in the world won't help if drug resistant TB is endemic in your population).

Jules|2007-06-12

If I ran a medical blog I surely wouldn't mention an opportunist like Michael Moore. Good way to lose your credibility. Perhaps you should take a trip outside of San Fran which is a world all it's own.

Melissa|2007-06-12

I never said socialized medicine was perfect, but I do think it is better than the current system in America. You know, you can get free syringes in America if you're a drug addict, but if it's for diabetes you'll be paying for them. Healthcare for profit does not work and our system is falling apart. I have what is considered pretty darn good health benefits with my pretty darn good job here in America and I still have to struggle to make ends meet most of the time. I had to give up using the meter I really liked about 3 years after I got it because my insurance company decided they would no longer cover strips for that meter. In fact, my insurance company will only cover strips for 7 meters and they are from only 2 companies. They will only cover a Minimed pump, although I appealed that and did eventually get approval for the Omnipod. I have to pay a $30 copay for every visit to my general practitioner and every visit to my endocrinologist. On top of all that, the latest one instituted at my clinic is that if I go in to see my endo for a diabetes follow up and mention that I have a sore throat or anything else not directly related to my diabetes, or vice-versa with the general practitioner, I'm charged a $30 copay for every separate issue!And how about the 43 million Americans who don't even have health coverage? I work in the medical field. These people end up in the ER for non-emergency issues because there is nowhere else they can go. This jacks up the costs for everyone else. Those "free" medication programs the pharmaceutical companies offer to those without insurance/poverty stricken? Those with insurance are paying for them through higher and higher premiums, they're not free.Regardless of how you feel about Michael Moore there is indeed a huge problem with the healthcare system in America and I shudder to think what will happen if we don't actually fix it and just sit around and wait until it completely falls apart before we do anything.

claire|2007-06-12

wow, you're all so scared of the word "socialized". are you afraid that having adequate health care will make you all commies? pathetic.i lived in germany in the nineties and paid a monthly premium of around forty dollars. this covered EVERYTHING: every doctor's visit, which i didn't require referrals for (yes, that's right, i could just up and go to any doctor i wanted for any reason), every prescription for everything, dental, even my glasses.that's right, i didn't pay a pfennig for my test strips, my pen, my insulin ... nothing. plus, the diabetes establishment there was among the best in the world. i had the best treatment there, the best doctor, that i've had in my entire life.what there is of so-called "socialized" medicine in the states--in the military for example--is hobbled by the american view that you SHOULDN'T get ANYTHING easy or free. so cost-free or reduced cost medical care means that you have to accept absurd restrictions.this is an AMERICAN view and has nothing to do with the concept of socialized medicine itself. if you want to know why the medical system in our country is such a mess, just look at the comments above. we, the diabetics, esp. the t1s, are the ones who suffer the most from lack of socialized health care. and yet we (well, actually, YOU, not me) are the ones who scramble first to deny that complete and adequate care is what we WANT.idiots.

Jules|2007-06-12

Comparing the US to Germany or any other European country is nonsense. These countrys would surely falter if they didn't have our medical research and technology to siphon off. Our medical system in not a "mess" it's the best in the world. Access to the system is what needs fixing. Intelligent discussion and consesus will hopefully bring us to this. At the same time, if we want to continue to receive the best of care in the free world, we are going to have to get used to the idea of having to pay more for our healthcare. Yes, we'll have to reduce the number of ballet classes or soccer lessons for the kids or give up that yearly trip to Germany. If we want to continue to see advances in medical care we have got to let it remain a free market system. Check out your local hospital emergency room if you want to see what socialized medicine will be like for a simple doctor visit. Maybe we should have two systems, one for the people that want the Government run system that would be free and the other buying in to the free market version. Hillary Clinton's healthcare plan of the early 90's made it illegal to visit a doctor of your choosing. It was illegal to operate a for profit clinic. People were looking at developing floating clinics/hospitals off the coast for people that wanted to pay for better care. What a nightmare if it had passed. On top of that we've got global warming that we have to fix or else we are all going to die!!

melissa|2007-06-12

No, America does not have the best healthcare in the world, just google that very line, find some actual statistics and you will see that while we do not have the worst healthcare, we certainly do not have the best either. It never fails to amaze me how many Americans (and yes, I am an American) have absolute tunnel vision when it comes to what goes on outside of their own country.Neither are we the most advanced in medical technology. Israel is considerably ahead of us when it comes to medical technology/research. And we lost quite a few top-notch medical scientists with the ban on stem cell research, they went to other countries that are advancing faster than America.Burying your head in the sand and insisting we have the best healthcare in the world is certainly not going to help the situation. In what dreamworld does a country with 43 MILLION people without access to adequate healthcare qualify as the BEST healthcare in the world?!?!?And just be willing to pay more? I don't think so. In America we are gouged on drug prices. There is no cap on what the pharmaceuticals can charge us and there is practically a 200% markup on some drugs. If I were unfortunate enough to be one of the 43 million without health insurance, I would be dead now with the cost of having T1 diabetes. There is no way I could afford it without insurance, and even with insurance I am always one paycheck away from homeless/bankrupt and I've had to decide "food or insulin".

David Parker|2007-06-12

Jules-A medical "system" is all about access. Without good access there is no real "system."ALL of us older than 64 have access to the government run Medicare plan. It's efficient administratively and, speaking for myself, provides very good care. It's not free, but the costs seem reasonable. Private insurance supplements Medicare seamlessly, too. Unfortunately, we have a good system near the end of life rather than when it would do the most good at the beginning or middle of life. Go figure.

melissa|2007-06-12

Oh yeh, about reducing the number of ballet classes and soccer for the kids - what do you suggest in my situation? I'm single, I have no children. I am taking care of myself and my cats only. I've already cut every corner I can and still I'm only a paycheck away from homeless. I make "gross" just enough money to not qualify for any kind of assistance whatsoever, whereas if they based it on my actual take-home pay after taxes I would qualify for help. I'm drowning and all I can do is tread water and hope - and I'm one of the luckier ones in America, I have a good job, "good" health insurance and a support network of family and friends to help out in dire times.

AmyT|2007-06-12

Wow, this just proves my point: the healthcare issue is RED HOT.btw, I'm neither advocating nor dissing the whole Socialized Medicine concept: I'm just saying that the BlogHer initiative is looking for SOME GOOD IDEAS to improve healthcare... So rather than sniping at each other, how 'bout we come up with some?

Titos|2007-06-12

The US has at the same time both the best and the worst health care system in the developed world. The best for those who can afford insurance, substantial co-payments or private care. The worst for those who can't. And the worst for those with chronic conditions. If you are diagnosed with type 1 as a kid you can't get health coverage in most States as an adult, unless it is through your employer. If you're unemployed or poor you can forget it, with the exception of a few States (New York, Massachusetts etc). Talking about socialized medicine is nonsense. The issue is should someone bear the risk alone for something he has no control of - or should society at large bear that risk. And in the name of societal solidarity European countries have agreed that no one should bear the risk alone. Which is why in Europe there is universal coverage and why disease does not drive anyone to bankruptcy. Nobody says the system is perfect and a lot of improvements are due, but Europe spends less on health care as a proportion of GDP and clinical outcomes are better and life expectancy longer.

Island in the Net|2007-06-12

"In America we are gouged on drug prices."It's a free market system. If you have something I want you can charge whatever I am willing to pay for it. Caps on price of what drug companies charge mean caps on profits which means caps on what they can pay employees which means caps on my take home pay which means caps on where what house I can buy and where my kids go to college. Screw that shit. I want a house, a car, college tuition for my kids, retirement savings and a vacation.Also, the profits from drug A are to allay the cost of the risk that drug B might be a dismal failure.

melissa|2007-06-12

Wow, now there's a real winner Island in the Net. Talk about American GREED! I'd love to have all the things you've listed too, unfortunately I don't work for a pharmaceutical company so I'm not making the big bucks at the expense and lives of others. A cut in drug prices won't financially harm me at all, in fact I'd get to keep a bit more of my paycheck to pay for a roof over my head and maybe even a few luxuries that I cannot now, nor probably ever will, be able to afford.Free market?!?!? No, it's not a free market if there is only one company producing the drug you need and you have no alternative but to pay what they charge or die. Ever heard of drug patents? And if it's such a "free market", why are the pharmaceutical companies pushing for legislation to ban Americans from getting drugs from other countries? Especially since oftentimes the drugs are manufactured right here in the good ol' USA, sold and shipped to another country, and then re-routed back to American consumers at a more reasonable price. Afraid of a little competition within a free market, eh?And "cap on what they can pay their employees"?!?!? I work for a hospital that is owned by an insurance company and while the CEOs are rolling in money, the rest of us employees, you know, the ones actually doing the WORK, are by no stretch of the imagination rolling in money.You must be pretty well off if not outright rich Island. You just proved to me what I've always thought all along, once you reach a certain level you just piss on the rest of us.

AmyT|2007-06-12

Melissa, enough with the attack comments here, please. Or I'm going to have to cut you off, Gal.

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